Clarets ease to win in opening friendly

Chris Boden

Burnley eased to a 3-1 win over Stade Nyonnais in their opening pre-season friendly tonight.

First half goals from Andre Gray, Ashley Barnes and Michael Keane put them in command at the break, and although Lukas Jutkieicz had an effort ruled out in the second period, Burnley ran out victorious in a low-key friendly.

Gray got off the mark 20 minutes in, finishing well from Barnes' throughball, before Barnes headed in the second five minutes later following a short corner from Aiden O'Neill, fresh from signing a new three-year deal on Thursday.

Former Juventus man Stipe Simunac pulled one back three minutes before the break, arrowing a shot into the bottom corner, but right on half-time, Keane headed in a Michael Kighly free kick to restore the two-goal advantage.

Sean Dyche changed all 10 outfield players at the break, while Conor Mitchell came on for Paul Robinson in goal just after the hour.

Jutkiewicz saw his header mysteriously chalked off midway through the second half, and hit the bar with a scissors kick with six minutes remaining, from a Scott Arfield cross, as the Clarets ended their training camp in Evian with a win and some welcome game time.

They face their first domestic friendly on Tuesday night, with updates on burnleyexpress.net and on Twitter at @BXSport